Atkins Vs. Weight Watchers

The best recommendation for anyone interested in dieting is to learn the ins and outs of your chosen diet plan. Reviewing the details of each diet can help anyone make a decision that will result in lasting weight loss and improved health. Both Atkins and Weight Watchers have been on the market for years helping dieters lose weight and adopt healthy eating patterns.

Philosophy

The philosophy of Weight Watchers is to learn the basics concerning healthy eating and exercise. Participants receive group support via weekly meetings and weigh-ins. A points system is used to keep up with calories consumed and portion sizes.

The Atkins diet is less about portion control and caloric intake and instead focuses on limited carbohydrate intake. Although carbohydrates are not forbidden, consumption is limited.

Features

Weight Watchers consists of two plans: Flex and Core. The Flex plan assigns points to foods, and participants determine points allotted based on current weight, age and gender. Nutritious and balanced eating is encouraged along with bonus points allotted for the occasional treat. The Core plan does not involve counting points, but instead focuses on wholesome foods incorporating all the major food groups.

The Atkins diet is broken up into weeks with the initial week involving no more than 20 grams of carbohydrates per day. For the most part, on the Atkins diet, the source of calories is purely protein and fat. Dieters are encouraged to avoid refined sugars, flour, milk, potatoes and other starchy vegetables and most fruits.

Benefits

People following the Weight Watchers plan can expect to lose between 1 to 2 pounds per week. The plan involves counting points instead of calories and is fairly easy to follow.

Dieters following the Atkins diet can expect to lose weight and fairly quickly. At the outset of the diet, the weight loss may be drastic with tapering for the remaining weeks. The plan is easy to follow and doesn't involve counting or any special pre-packaged meals.

Health Risks

There are no known health risks involved in following the Weight Watchers eating plan. There are no restricted foods, and participants are encouraged to eat a variety of foods from all major food groups.

Due to the high fat and cholesterol intake associated with the Atkins diet, doctors and dietitians fear long-term health effects. These fears have yet to be substantiated, but research has shown that the best way to eat is to consume a variety of food groups and to focus on lean meats, vegetables and fruits. Researchers are concerned that this diet promotes heart disease.

Cost

There is a cost associated with participating in the Weight Watchers program. As of 2009, the cost of registration is less than $25 monthly. There are optional pre-packaged meals available in the frozen food section of your neighborhood grocery.

There is no cost associated with participating in the Atkins diet. Costs to follow this diet are based solely on whatever support materials are purchased, such as books. Aside from that, the cost is purely groceries.